a few of my favorite things.

1.

2. 

3.
4.

5&6.

The holidays and the year are coming to a close and I thought that it would be a great time to look back and appreciate some of my favorite things I got this year. The best things aren't things, they're people and i'm extremely blessed to have been able to spend a large amount of time with my family this year having some unforgettable experiences. I've also had a lot of people come into my life this year that I am fortunate to know and my strongest relationships have stood the test of time, distance and unforeseeable variables. Fittingly, most of my prized possessions at the moment are things that have sentimental value to those in my life. 

1. FRYE STELLA CHELSEA SHORT As we grew older, it seems like at Christmastime the toys we get dwindle or are seen as less useful, and over the course of time, my family has begun to exchange money. I usually take advantage of this excess of money to pay off bills, or put in my savings, but this year my mother advised me to put the money towards something material so that I can remember the person who gave me the money by as long as I have it. This is the object I chose.

2. ANTHROPOLOGIE BRENTA SWING DRESS This dress is especially sentimental because during this holiday season I got the opportunity to watch my best friend say 'i do'. I was the MOH for this event and spent three days straight helping things go smoothly, which I hope she things that they did. She spent the time to pick this gift out and thank me for my efforts. It was completely unnecessary for her to do so, but it is one of the most beautiful clothing items I own and I will cherish it always.

3. FRENCH GIRL LIP POLISH This is an item I gifted to myself, and it's my favorite thing right now because every winter, my lips become so crazy chapped it's unbearable. This little bottle does wonders to remedy that problem. Think sea salt scrub for your lips, and it smells delicious.

4. YAMAHA ACOUSTIC GUITAR When I was a little girl, my father would disappear and I would hear sweet tunes coming from his room upstairs. It was his was of relaxing, his passion, but I would follow the noise and join him to sing James Taylor by his side, no matter how done deaf I am. This year I decided to learn guitar, and we spent some time together over the holidays as he taught me some of the basics with my new guitar that was under the tree. It's a special bonding moment that I love.

5. JOHN DERIAN SWIFT PLATE I've been at my job for a year and a half and I love what I do there. Everyday I learn new things from an incredible team and although small, we work together to make each issue of the magazine beautiful every month. My boss' favorite store is John Derian, so it's very touching that I received this item from her for the holidays.

6. VINTAGE SPRAY BOTTLE My mother knows my appreciation for vintage items, and she digs them up all over my house from her mother and grandmothers from time to time and is kind enough to give them to me. This is just one of the items she passed along to me, its always an honor to be in the presence of those things that have stood the test of time.

Happy holidays all, cherish all those things and people that you hold dear this year and always.

the haute holidays.

FREE PEOPLE SEAMLESS CROP

MADEWELL SPIN DRIFT PENDANT NECKLACE

This year for Christmas, I decided to embrace the hues of the season without being too obvious.
Or perhaps being just obvious enough...

I reached to some of my favorites - a seamless crop and a long statement necklace - and found them in my favorite variations of green and red - emerald and cranberry - to come up with this combo. 

I then below paired them with a couple of colors that I can always rely on by grabbing a white sweater and a black leather midi skirt to complete the look! The sweater ended up being warm enough to act as a jacket this warm winter. This is I think my most favorite holiday in the books to date and a lot more dynamic then the typical dress I sport on Wilgia.

Wiligia by the way is a huge part of my culture growing up, it's what the polish call the day that is Christmas Eve, complete with oplatec, sledzie, and in our family, a Yankee swap.

Happy Holidays everyone!

FP ALPACA CLOUD PULLOVER

BLANK NYC VEGAN LEATHER MIDI SKIRT

winter is coming.

MADEWELL CITY GRID TWEED JACKET

The city grid jacket has haunted me since last year when it was sold out at the end of the season.

Everything about the jacket; the diagonal zip, the top that clicks close to protect your neck from the winter chill,

the perfect length to keep you warm while still allowing you full range of motion.

It's perfection.

So when Madewell decided to have its legendary full item sales I got it in tweed. 

& then in black. with leather accents.

Winter in the n.y.c. in my experience is a pretty daunting time in the lives' of city slickers. Most take to their apartments to hibernate or cuff, and I don't seem to see them again until the snow is melted and the sun sets at a decent hour again.

All the walking around the grid proves to be more difficult when there's snow flying past you. But i'm refusing to hideaway during these chilly months and weather the storms. Preferably in my new beautiful winter jacket.

chopped.

MADEWELL PARIS TEE

I've been growing my hair out for ten years now, we've been through it all together. But through all the curling, drying,
straightening and lack of trimming seshs, I've managed to damage it to the point of no return. A few weeks ago, I looked at my
hair after air drying naturally, my locks frizzed and frayed and thought 'what am I gonna do with you?' The thought of
shorter hair always intrigued and terrified me, but with the lob style in currently I decided if not now, then when? I got mixed
reactions when I told my friends about this bold move, as my roommate so bluntly put it…

but, I feel like you ARE the hair

…and then went on to encourage me to do it. So last week I sat down in the hairdressers chair and explained
to her the whole thing- my love hate relationship with my long, tired hair and the fear of having my hair cur short with
my natural curls in mind. We decided on a longer version of a lob, and I took a deep breath as she relieved
me of SEVEN INCHES of my hair. She put tons of shape in- adding angles, layers, ragged edges, and invisible layers, which apparently is a thing, explaining with each cut that she was not taking more length off to calm me down. 

When all was said and done, I ran my hands through and felt how incredibly healthy it felt for the first time in years,
and knew I made the right decision. I can still put my hair up when I feel lazy, manage to have my hair in my face constantly, and
my curls didn't manage to bob up. It's uncomfortably new, but I'm settling into it. I've learned that in order to grow faster
and healthy, sometimes you just need to cut off pieces that aren't helping. As my amazing hairdresser said…

It's no big deal, it's just hair.

Shoes and Shadows.

#SHOESANDSHADOWS

When it comes to shoes, I like to find a pair that I love and I commit to them until the soles are worn down and the suede is torn through. and then i'll usually wear them some more.

I think the architecture of shoes is a fabulous art and my new obsession is showcasing them on their own while shedding the light on the brand new kicks that they deserve.

So #shoesandshadows to show me what you got or see the new pair in my closet.
These guys are Solas, Jeffery Campbell, Jeffery Campbell and more Jeffery Campbell.

On not being Black & White

 JUST, ME

I decided to do these self-portraits stark, without makeup and unedited because i'm beginning though work realize through incredible photographers how beautiful the natural form a person really is and an exercise in being comfortable with oneself.

Today I am thinking of the prospect of happiness and what it means in relation to an adult life. I used to think happiness meant the perfect job in a place that attracts you, with someone who you want to share it. It isn't until this past year that I've learned the complexities to such a simple idea. Life isn't about getting 1 + 1 + 1 to equal 3, it's about multiplying, dividing and subtracting, too. One aspect of your life might be in place, but then the rest fall out of whack or what you wanted suddenly doesn't become what you want anymore, and you are left to solve for x. 

I am learning, all. And I am also learning that I am the only one who can dictate this equation, despite all that fate hands me. So I'm deciding to set a goal for one year from this moment to do something that I know I want to do and that will make me happy. I'm deciding on a trip to drive up the coast of California whether it be by myself or with others.

& I was once told that you can do whatever you set your mind to, it's worked thus far.

Into the Grease.

TY-LR NIGHTLIFE TEE
JC JOE LACE UP BOOTS

I've been shampooing my hair every single day since I can remember, and recently, I've been having a grease issue at my scalp. My dream team of friends helped me realize that my skin is probably overcompensating since I over-clean and releasing too much grease. I decided to try going sans shampooing for a week in order to start anew and get my scalp back on track. Im going through a routine of dry shampoo, conditioning the tips and rinsing.

I'll report back with results tbd.

Also, this shirt feels like a dream, and its a perfect basic tee long enough to wear with leggings. I've had those boots for five years and they still look like brand new and go with everything, especially keeping your legs warm with a dress during the fall.

#plantlife

ALBER
KNOX

INEZ

VINOODH

Every living thing should have a name, plant life included.

I'm adjusting to my new digs and living in a space that's big enough to comfortably house me, all of my things and whatever else my heart desires is a new sensation. Something that I tried and failed to have at my old apartment was plant life. I had an ivy plant and tried some succulents out but the limited space and sunlight kept them from thriving. 

My first investment was a palm plant, and the best thing about the rest that followed is that they were both gifts from thoughtful people. and easy to take care of.

As fall comes in strong and the greenery outside starts to change, it's good to know that i'll have these guys with me to remind me that warm weather will be here soon enough. Yes, i'm already dreaming of next summer. And who doesn't love a side of snow with their windowsill cactus?

somewhere in america.

FP HANNAH'S ROMPER

FREEPS 100 DEGREE DRESS

Made in America became a ritual of sorts with one of my best friends and I.

It was sacred, we bought tickets before we even knew who was playing and then she had to go off to Guatemala on a unforgettable life adventure before we could make some memories with Beyonce & co.

This year, I went with another great friend of mine.

We stayed with the same kind, fun and generous person who let me crash last year and his friends and shenanigans ensued.

Like these photos that have become a tradition.

Festivals are made up of music, and the sets change from year to year, but what makes this one special is the people you're with and the city it's in that I get to know a little better each time.

Sorry if that's the corniest thing i've ever said.

Not sorry.

the cube test.

CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS

I've spent the past month recovering from vacation and moving, so apologies for the hiatus. It seems that summer has gotten away from me and today marked the first day of crisp fall weather. This past summer has been seemingly never ending and I see nothing wrong with that. I feel like i've aged an entire year in the span of six months, which seems fitting because the entire winter I felt like I was standing still. It makes me smile to look back on these pictures, the time I got to spend with my family and the positive energy that is coming into view for all of us. 

On a short road trip with a new friend, I was introduced to the cube test.

If you know nothing about it, look it up, but answer all the questions before you see what it's about.

It'll make you realize things you didn't even know about yourself, if you trust in that sort of thing.

Other things you'll just already be aware of, if you're the self-aware sort.

sunnies side up.

BRIAR FELT TOP FELT HAT

PLETHORA OF SUNNIES FROM FP, OLIVER PEOPLES, GIORGIO ARMANI

If you're like me, you own a ton of sunnies, collected throughout the year for every occasion. 

I can't bring them all with me, so instead I decided to make a display for them, cause that's what I do. 

Here's how:

Take a wooden hanger with divets on either side where the garment usually hangs.

Use wool yarn (the thicker the better) and tie from one end to the other about twice the length of the hanger. Leave some of the yarn pieces as is, and braid others for look. Leave different lengths of string hanging past the knotted ends. Display your extra sunglasses from the yarn pieces in the middle.

Fin.

poolside.

SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE SET

Good rays

good friends

good times.

Loving this or any set I get my hands on

it's a top

it's bottoms

it's an outfit

or not.

it's choose your own adventure.

Sort of like yesterday.

You know when you mix the right people together and then 

boom.

magical. 

I got a little bit of that this weekend.

Photo credit due to the one and only Rotch.

Love you girll.